Sir, On the 8th Instant I was favoured with your first Letter of that date, and on the 9th with your Second Letter of the same date, and in the first of those Letters you are pleased to acquaint me, that an Armed Sloop had taken two Vessels on the high Seas, and brought them into the Port of St John in Antigua, and give me leave, Sir, to inform you that the Owners of that Armed Sloop (which is... Continue Reading
I had the honor of writing to you yesterday — but as the express did not set out as was expected I shall now add what I there Proposed and give you a particular Account of my late Cruise — the inclosed copies of my letters will explain what preceeded the 16th of November — on the 18th we had a Gale from the N E with Snow — it could not be called a hard Gale — however to Prevent seperation I spoke... Continue Reading
Inclosed I send a copy of my last to you before I left Rhode Island with the Alfred and Providence 2 Since, as I now understand, you were not at that time returned from Carolina to Congress so that the original hath not perhaps found it's way to your hands. — I would not wish the Sentiments in it to escape your perusal for tho' I have expressed myself with a freedom becoming an honest... Continue Reading
I am happy in this Opportunity of thanking you for the kind and favourable mention which Mr [Abraham] Livingston informs me you have made of my former letters, —
Should Mr H[ewes] be at present Absent from Congress I must beg you to look over the Inclosed letters for him before you forward them Should the expidition Spoke of in my last to you be put in execution, as it may take up eight Months or... Continue Reading
January 1777
Sunday 12
[Moored off Newport]
7 AM saw a Sail in the Offing — ordered the Kingsfisher Sloop to slip & make Sail after her at 11 came in a flag of Truce from Providence & anchord under our Stern 2
January 1777
Sunday 12th
Sandy Hook No 11 W Distance 63 Leag
at 10 AM three Sail in sight, Out all Reefs set Studingsails & gave Chace at Noon Modt and Cloudy
Fresh, Breezes & Cloudy in Chace as before at 4 PM came up wth and Brot too the Chace found it to be a Sloop from Bermuda Loaded with Salt bound to Virginia,2 Brot too took the Master & crew out, Scuttled &... Continue Reading
January 1777
Cape May WbS 4 Leags
Fresh breezes and hazey. At 4 (PM) gave Chace to 2 Sail.
TKd: at difft times. At 8 Came up with the Chace which proved a Snow from Jamaica taken by the Andrew Dorea American Privateer — took charge of her.2
. . . The letters I recd from you in answer to my proposals for speculating in prize goods &c &c are in the country with my other papers and such variety of business has gone through my hands since that I do not perfectly remember their contents, but think you had made some purchases which I very mu.ch approved at the time and wished you to proceed, being certain that goods bought with... Continue Reading
Should General Washington be so lucky as to drive the Enemy out of the Jersies, will they not make a bold push to attack us by water, and that much Earlier in the Spring than we are aware of? Is not Billings Port by nature Capable of being made very Strong, so as to support the Cheveux de Frise that may be-sunk in the Channel, that, with our other Force may be a means of keeping them back, with... Continue Reading
January 1777
Sunday 12th
The French Roy NE 1 Mile Caucos Bank No Distce 3 Mile
4 A.M. Spoke a Turtle Vessel from Turks Island who Inform'd us, their was many American Vessels through the Passage of Turks Island,
At ½ past one P.M. Fir'd Two half Pounders to bring a Sloop Too, sent the Boat on Bd found she was an American Vessel from Cape Francois bound to No Carolina, Laden with Powder Salt... Continue Reading
Petition of John McDonnell setting forth that he is inform'd by some of the Honble Members of each House, that his late Petition praying Liberty to proceed to Ireland has Indulgently got your Assent, its my Duty to acknowledge it, and can only say the Extraordinary favor shall be retain'd in a Grateful mind Im Conscious that an Indulged Petitioner should avoid giving his Benefactors trouble at... Continue Reading
Order'd That Mr [Ellis] Gray deliver one Box Tin to Thomas Cushing Esq: for the use Ship Hancock — Capt Manly to be retum'd —
Martin Brimmer begs leave (as Agent to the Honbl James Warren Esqr & others) to inform the Honbl Board of War, that he had nearly fitted out a Privateer, at great Expence & Trouble, to cruise against the Enemies of America, when the Embargo frustrated his Designs. he now proposes to carry any Merchandize, on Acco of this State, freight free, to any West India Island, provided he can have... Continue Reading
Sr you being mastr of the Schooner Runfast & all things Ready for Sailing our orders to you are to Imbrace the First wind & weather, & Sail & proceed Directly For Baltimore in Maryland, and there deliver What goods you have onboard to Mr Cumberland Dugan, & Receive from him such other goods as he may order onboard you & As soon as you are Loaded, Sail & proceed... Continue Reading
Notice is hereby given, That Libels are filed before me, against the following Vessels, their Cargoes and Appurtenances, viz. In Behalf of William Dennis, Commander of the private armed Sloop, called the America, his Company and Owners, against the Brigantine Countess of Eglington, of about 160 Tons Burthen, Robert Raid [Reid] late Master: — In Behalf of Thomas West, Commander of the armed Sloop... Continue Reading
Jany 1777
Sunday 12th
Nantucket Shoals N25E Dist 17 Leagues
at 6 AM brot too Main TS to the Mast — at 8 wore Ship & set the Fore & Mizn TS — at noon out 3d reef of the TSls
Fresh Breezes & Cloudy — at 2 PM in Chace of a Sloop — out 2d Reef of the TSls — at 3 brat too a Sloop from Martinico bound to Philadelphia — at ½ past hove too at ½ past 4 made sail —
Monday 13th
at 9 AM... Continue Reading
I Recd a Letter from a gentl man taken by the alfred and Providence and In Closed you have a Copey of my answer to him 2 and Sence I have recd a Second a Copey of which you have In Closed I am in formd by the officers that thare Was Upward of forty Bales and packiges markt with his Name and with out I Could be Informd [of] the Contents of them I Can be No Judge whare it would be... Continue Reading
The Examination of John Thomson for Theft and Desertion Onboard the Warren Monday Morning Jany 13th 1777 —
John Thomson being brought before the Court martial — his Accusation was read to him as follows —
That on Sunday Eveng the 5th instt abot 6 oClock he the said Thomson — together with Jos Robinson contrary to the rules and regulations of the honl Contl Congress respectg the American Navy cut... Continue Reading
January 1777
Monday 13th
Moor'd in Narhighganset Passage, Rhode Island
Sail'd hence His Majs Ships Preston, Asia and Brune Longbt Empd as before
PM Came on board from the Chatham Lieut Robert Deans, appoint'd by Commdre Sir Peter Parker to Command the Ship in my absence, having the Commodore's leave to Stay on shore for the recovery of my health.
On Wednesday last, the 8th Instant; the Bristol, Vice Admiral Lord Shuldham, sailed for England; and, as the Wind was fair, got out to Sea immediately.
Many Prizes have been sent into the Harbor in the Course of the last Week; and the Ships are playing Havock with the Rebel Privateers. Some of the Frigates with Copper bottoms outsail every thing they see; and the swiftest Privateers of the Rebels... Continue Reading